Sweet Beginnings: How Dessert Sparked a Movement

Sue Guben’s path to founding the Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida began with a delicious key lime mousse she served at a Naples dinner party. As guests praised her dessert, Sue shared that she had learned the recipe from women she met through her role in the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle where she monitored a grant for a Culinary Arts program at a homeless women’s shelter. While visiting the shelter, she enjoyed the mousse for dessert, even getting a lesson on how to properly zest a lime. The story intrigued Sue’s guests and led to an introduction to Nancy Cohen, who became the Circle’s Cofounder with Sue.

Bridging Baltimore and Bonita: A Serendipitous Connection

Nancy lived in both Bonita Springs and Baltimore and, like Sue, was a member of the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle. Despite this shared affiliation, they had never met in person. Both women believed the Naples area was ripe for a similar organization, valuing its egalitarian approach and potential to unite like-minded women.

From Lunch to Launch: Founding the Giving Circle

Over a spirited lunch at Mercato in 2011, Sue and Nancy outlined their vision for a Giving Circle for Southwest Florida. In 2012, they partnered with the Community Foundation of Collier County to become a tax-exempt fund in an already well-established charitable organization.

The Apple Store served as their informal headquarters as they researched other giving circles and recruited the first eight members. While none of the original eight women were familiar with giving circles, they were eager to embark on the adventure and included: Karen Biernesser, Jane Doherty, Sally Gleason, Mana Holtz, Marty Howard, Barbara Knepshield, Diane Lepola, and Linda Penniman.

The first meeting took place at Marty Howard’s home in late 2012, setting the mission, name, and priorities:

• Grants would support non-profits in Collier and Lee counties

• Every member donates the same amount and has an equal say in decision making

• No fund-raising is needed each year as the group would grant $1,000 times the number of annual members.

KEY MILESTONES OVER THE YEARS INCLUDE:

2013 – The WGC awards its first two grants for a total of $10,000 to Pace Center for Girls Lee County and The Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

2014 – Three grants awarded to the Neighborhood Health Clinic, Our Mother’s Home of SWFL, and The Women’s Fund of Southwest Florida. A new logo, celebrating Florida’s blue skies and water, debuts, courtesy of Nancy’s daughter.

2014 – Membership doubles as members invite friends to hear an early grantee’s story. The WGC forms executive, grant, education, and membership committees, and appoints two cochairs for each committee for two-year terms.

2014 – The WGC joins Philanos, a national umbrella of giving circles, and the members recognized its unique structure as a seasonal group because of its Florida location.

2014 – WGC holds its first General Meeting at the Colony Bay Club; 17 of 22 members attended.

2015 – Membership doubles; the WGC is featured in eBella Magazine.

2016 – Membership doubles again and continues to grow exponentially yearly. The WGC website debuts.

2017 – WGC adds monthly lunches to offer the opportunity to network and collect supplies for grantees.

2017-18 – To address the immediate needs created by Hurricane Irma, the WGC focuses all grants on hurricane recipients and determines that, going forward, each year would have a different grant focus.

2019 – Grants are geared to health and mental wellness.

2020 – Grants are dedicated to helping seniors; membership continues to grow by word of mouth.

2021 – The pandemic forces the WGC to adapt new technology such as Zoom to accelerate the pace of grants and focus on programs and recipients affected by COVID-19.

2022 – The WGC adds new monthly educational programs featuring previous grantees and WGC nonprofits. The first virtual book discussion takes place.

2023 – WGC’s strength is reinforced by building upon an updated mission and comprehensive strategic plan for the future.

When we started the Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida as an experiment back in 2012, we didn’t know if we would succeed. It’s hard to believe we’re in our 12th year! We’ve grown from ten to 128 members and have given away nearly $820,000! Our philosophy continues to be flexible while listening to our talented members’ ideas and suggestions and evolving as appropriate. We celebrate our achievements and look forward to continuing to learn and work together to make our community a better place for all.

Nancy Cohen and Sue Guben